By Nigel Maxwell

Raiders coach says he wants to be back

Mar 24, 2015 | 11:14 AM

Nearly 400 people packed the Ches Leach Lounge on Tuesday morning for the annual SaskPower Power Breakfast.

The event is held annually as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Saskatchewan and it featured a keynote address from Prince Albert Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid. 

During his closing remarks, Habscheid thanked the fans for all of their support this past year, leaving some fans wondering if he was saying goodbye.

Habscheid told paNOW that his future was still unknown.

“I have no idea, it’s still in the process, we’re talking and so you never take anything for granted,” he said.

Missing pet

'She means the world to our family': Woman seeks help in finding missing pet parrot

3h ago

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS

Semi flips outside P.A.; one of dozens of incidents on Sask. roads due to winter weather

3h ago

NO GO FOR BUSES

School bus routes outside P.A. canceled due to spring snowstorm

8h ago

That being said, Habscheid said it is his wish to return.

“I love the people, I love the city and I had a really good time here and I’d like to be back,” he said.

The morning event featured special dignitaries, including Special Olympics athlete Liz Head, who introduced Habscheid.

Habscheid shared many stories about his life before the Raiders, including his time playing with Canada’s National Junior team in 1982. The team won gold that year, and as per tradition, the winning country’s national anthem was to be played over the public address system.

“The sound system wasn’t very good and they couldn’t get the national anthem on,” said Habscheid. “They told us ‘we don’t have it so you’re free to leave’ and we said ‘we’re not going anywhere.’  So, we went arm in arm and starting singing it a capella.”

More than 30 years later, the tradition continues.

Habscheid also talked about his days playing with the Edmonton Oilers and how his stall in the dressing room was right beside Wayne Gretzky’s.

He said Gretzky was a great player on the ice, but just as great a human being. He joked about the amount of fan mail Gretzky received compared to the other players. On one occasion, Habscheid received a letter from a fan saying that he was their favourite player, but then proceeded to ask if Habscheid could get them Wayne Gretzky’s autograph.

But it was the rapport he built with one Special Olympics athlete that stuck with him.

During his time in Edmonton, Habscheid said the dressing room attendant was a Special Olympics athlete by the name of Joey Moss. 

“He taught all of us a lot and you know he was a big part of that team, just his outlook on life, [that] every day is a great day, is a good lesson for everyone,” said Habscheid.

He said one of the greatest lessons he learned from Moss that he carries with him to this day was to always have a smile on your face, no matter what.

Among the items auctioned off Tuesday morning was a replica Edmonton Oilers jersey signed by Habscheid, as well as a retro Raiders jersey autographed by Mike Modano.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell